Light and Lighting Techniques The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Two types of luminaires (sources of light) the floodlight the spotlight

The Floodlight It covers a wider area with a more diffuse light, diminishes outline and clarity of characters. Gives this scene a warm, caring tone, the focus on a happy family environment –contrast this with the cold impersonal house at the end.

The Spotlight highlight a specific area. It clearly illuminates areas, sharply outlines and illuminates characters, brings out detail and texture, and markedly separates light and shadows. The viewer is horrified by the close resemblance to human bodies.

Basic setup of lighting The Key light (three variations of key light) The Fill light The Back light

Basic setup of lighting The Key light major luminaire that illuminates the subject of the image and is normally placed to the front and side of the subject

Basic setup of lighting The Fill light placed on the opposite side and fills in the shadows of the subject

Basic setup of lighting The Back light which highlights the edges of the subject and separates it from the background.

variations of this basic kind of lighting High-key lighting Low-key lighting High-contrast lighting.

variations of this basic kind of lighting High-key lighting lighting indicates a brightly lit scene with a minimum of shadows and a key light that is bright and dominant.

variations of this basic kind of lighting Low-key lighting a scene where the lighting is more towards the greyer and darker scale, and where the key light is less bright and does not dominate.

variations of this basic kind of lighting High-contrast lighting strong contrast between bright light and shadow, with a small amount of in-between grey scale, is called 'high-contrast' lighting . The focus is on their harsh, unemotional appearance. This is in contrast with the heartache of the rest of the procession at the funeral. They symbolise the cold-heartedness of the German soldier.

Character's Appearance… … is significantly determined by the - angle or - direction of the key light.

Character's Appearance… Front lighting flattens out the face, diminishes contour and detail, and softens the features, can diminish the appearance of age, making you focus on the innocence and naivety Bruno.

Character's Appearance… Back lighting highlights the edges of a character, separating the individual from the background; as a result it gives the character an innocent look, the audience feel empathy Towards this character.

Character's Appearance… Top lighting bathes the character in light, as if the illumination were coming from heaven, giving them an angelic or spiritual appearance. How is this relevant to his character in the film?

Character's Appearance… Bottom/Side lighting shadows and distorts the face, making it appear sinister, threatening, or evil.

Character's Appearance… Side lighting can highlight only half the face, leaving the other half relatively undefined or in shadow, thus suggesting a two-sided or mysterious personality. How is this relevant to the Character of Ralph?  

Filters and light Effects Equipment help to create the desired lighting effects; filters control the colour and amount of light. A blue filter is used to enhance the dramatic mood of this scene, shows Ralph cannot believe what has happened – incredulous look on his face.

Filters and light Effects

Light supports the character change of a character

General Effects… In general, bright, clear, even illumination creates a mood of happiness, joy and security, and is therefore frequently used for comedy.   More diffuse, greyer lighting can convey inclement weather and communicate a more sombre and unhappy spirit.